Although we’ve been jumping around a bit, we have been examining the contents of the four Eucharistic Prayers, the core prayer of the Mass. Today, let’s look at a few of those names in Eucharistic Prayer I.

“In communion with those whose memory we venerate”—we call to mind those saints who worship with us in the Mass. First among them, we mention Mary, “Mother of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.” As the Mother of God, we say that Mary is given the honor of hyperdulia in the Church. God alone is honored with latria, meaning worship. An entirely different honor is given to the saints, dulia. Mary is special, the Queen of the Saints, so she is honored with hyperdulia!

After Mary is honored, St. Joseph makes an appearance. This used to be the only Eucharistic Prayer where Joseph was mentioned, but in 2013 Pope Francis decided he ought to be included in all of them, so there he is. Then comes the eleven faithful apostles, along with St. Paul. Even though he wasn’t called by Christ with the original twelve, he still gets the title “apostle” because of his importance, and because really, he was called by Jesus, too, when He knocked Paul off his horse.

Then some great baby names, “Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius … .” All five of these were early martyr Popes. If you happened to take an office that ended up getting the previous guy killed, you’d probably be pretty concerned. But what if that office got the last 10 occupants martyred? How about the last 30, give or take? Pretty interesting retirement plan you are signing up for. It’s an amazing thing, but this is exactly what the early Popes did. They accepted their ministry in the Church, the ministry given by Jesus to “confirm the brethren in the faith,” knowing full well what that meant. Around 30 of the first 32 of them were martyred for that faith, for our faith.

And finally, there are a few more martyrs, Cyprian, Lawrence, and Chrysogonus. John and Paul were soldiers and may have guarded Constantine’s daughter. However, when Julian the Apostate took the throne, they declined to continue their service, which wasn’t appreciated. Finally, Cosmos and Damian were twin brother doctors. Holy men and women of God, pray for us!